Opinion
Who are we?
Arlene Kushner
Published: 03.10.08, 01:17
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27 Talkbacks for this article
1. The answer is what it always has been: Torah
Darren ,   Oakland, CA   (10.03.08)
2. Fairy tale history !
Sean ,   Derry/Ireland   (10.03.08)
You ask "who are we?" i will tell you. Going by the nonesense in the article you are a people in a state of denial, living in a collective myth. Your "national reputation" has been sullied not by corruption but by your 60 years of brutality towards the Palestine people (not mentioned in your fairy tale). A nation founded on genocide is corrupted from the start. A blight unto nations indeed !
3. i think
hala ,   jerusalem   (10.03.08)
one person may awaken the nation lead them to the best .but fallen down is always about the most of the people .i think nowadays there is not anyof that this one person in israil ,iam not defending any one but sure evry one is responsiple to attack the evil wich is not olmert only
4. Great Article
Sharon Raanan ,   Beit Shemesh, Israel   (10.03.08)
Well written! Kol HaKavod.
5. A constitutional response
Paul ,   Tuval Israel   (10.03.08)
With all due respect to the Torah, which I have, that is not the answer. The true answer lies in the politicians having and being made to have true accountability to those that elected them. This can only come about with a constituency system as opposed to proportional representation. This means a change in the constitution, which unfortunately will never come about due to narrow political party interests, and politicians who lack the courage to do what is good for the country even if it means that they will have to pay the political price. In the past, our politicians had a vision and a sense of mission (shlichut). For today's politicians their decision to stand for office is a career move (something far more mercenary). I am all for a groundswell demanding a clean-up of politics and leadership, but there are no current leaders who can claim cleanliness: 3/4 of Olmert's scandals, as well as Hirschzon's' were committed when they belonged to the Likkud, and we all remember the sickening lobbying and corruption in their elections when they were in power, Netanyahu being one of the culprits (remember his scandals?). Maybe it is our fault - we reap what we sow.
6. Who are we?
Punta di Lancia ,   Basel, Switzerland   (10.03.08)
"We are meant to be a light unto the nations." Come on. Do you think that there is a possibility to grant this by Mofaz's winning the primaries and he would lead Kadima? Please be honest. There is no way out of reality. And Ms. Livni is not the worst choice.
7. Sean stop your hate.
Ben ,   London, UK   (10.03.08)
You have no idea what you are talking about. You spread lies and hate! You would never acknowledge the violence and murderous acts of your so called "victims" pre-Israel's independence and post independence. The reason is that your are a despicable liar, truth spinner, and a hater. Israel defended itself against countries and organizations with a genocidal agenda. Jews were living in that area of the world and were massacred before the independence and after the independence were still victim of terrorism in Israel and outside of Israel. Jews is Europe or elsewhere are victims of those people you call victims. Anyway you're a lost cause, whatever angle you approach the subject you will only spread your negativity and hate. Get lost ...
8. Israel to be light and hope to all world
Lutfi Altinel ,   Orhangazi,Turkey   (10.03.08)
Elohim protecting Israel Nation,don't worry. Heaven door is open to Torah and Heaven gate are in Holy Jerusalem. World no time!!! On the Temple wall, Israel star is gate to Heaven!! Peace in region must be establish in short time. Wisdom are in your mind!! If you listen your heart, then all nations to be near Israel.
9. Who Are We?
Larry ,   New York   (10.03.08)
You mentioned that, driven out two millennia ago, we did what no other people has ever done – I agree that all that you are saying is true but I am disturbed at your using the word we did. It was not you who did it. It was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who promised on oath by His own name to regather you even in unbelief in the land (1948): Jeremiah prophesied this note the use of the word "again" to differentiate it from the Babylonian captivity: Jeremiah 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it." . God is doing this not because of your faith or your faithfulness. He is doing this only because His name is at stake as the one who sticks to His promises despite apostasy. Ezekiel 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel Thus saith the Lord GOD I do not this for your sakes O house of Israel but for mine holy name's sake which ye have profaned among the heathen whither ye went God's covenant promise is to the patriarchs and you are the beneficiaries. Israel's regathering is for the purpose of the advent of the Messiah. Let Israel and its leaders not lose sight of this truth.
10. Jesusalen
cristian ,   bs as arg   (10.03.08)
Jewish people should leave the world behind because the tora and the prophets had written about these ages,the commandments are the greatest law and the revelation of your king of kings will protect you for ever Jesusalen.
11. Deluded Ben in denial !
Sean ,   Derry/Ireland   (10.03.08)
750,000 Palestinians ethnicly cleansed from Palestine in '48 FACT ! israel has attacked more nations than any other in the middle-east, FACT israel has slaughtered countless more innocents than the Palestinians have, FACT You want the statistics ? Probably not, it would only get in the way of your eternal victimhood syndrome. I aint going anywhere, you get lost !
12. To Sean "The Leprecon of Shemrock"
Meir ,   Arad   (10.03.08)
Holy Shit Sean, St Patrick's day is on March 17 and you are still under the influence? Most of the Irishmen I know are honest and decent people, how come you are such an imbecil. Did you fall on your head a lot as a child or you are just retarded? What you call FACTS are just Paliwood lies and fabrications.
13. Jesusalen
cristian ,   bs as arg   (10.04.08)
Jesus´message is love but a dead man can not defend anymore because of that i take his words to really fulfill them.
14. Meir wise up !
Sean ,   Derry/Ireland   (10.04.08)
A six line post with only five lines of racist abuse.Come on, you can do better ? "lies and fabrications" well Meir you tell me what really happened.
15. "Excuse me...."
Barry ,   Washington D.C.   (10.04.08)
"Excuse me? We are legitimate, in every sense of the word." Doesn't G-d dictate who is legitimate? Who are we? Are we whom G-d proves or whom we believe?
16. To Sean: Get your facts right
Paul ,   Tuval Israel   (10.04.08)
If you want to quote facts, Sean, don't be choosy about WHICH facts you quote. Look at the whole picture not only the little corner that suits you and your antisemitic opinions. For instance: Israel never once instigated action but retaliated to attacks against them - FACT! The Palestinians fire from civilian populates homes and neighbourhoods, hiding behind the skirts of civilians ( who willingly collaborate with them) - FACT! Every DAY a rocket is fired on Israeli CIVILIAN settlements indiscriminately with the express purpose to kill and maim Jews -FACT! The fact that they often miss because they are incompetent does not mean that they are less guilty. All the Arab countries including the Palestinians vowed to drive the Jews into the sea and declared a Jihad on Israel - FACT! The Palestinian Charter calls for the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish citizens in it - FACT! YOu want more? Bring it on!
17. Retain hope don’t expect real change
H.H.M. ,   Israel   (10.04.08)
Retain hope don’t expect real change Let us commiserate together despite your extremely well presented effort to come to the roots of our more than evil corruption in every form – It seems that the next government will basically rest “ on the laurel’s of Olmert’s cabinet “. Unfortunately we do not seem to have a climate of honesty, truth and clean operations. Staedle mentality seems to be overwhelming at all. Let us gird for very little changes in the near by future, unless economics may force it upon us.
18. Sean
Mike ,   Tel Aviv   (10.05.08)
Sean, please stay on this forum and write on! We, Israeli Jews, need people like you very much! To remind us why we should fight for this land tooth and nail. We are starting to forget here.
19. listened and smiled
hala ,   jerusalem   (10.05.08)
before one week i was going to praying in the aqsa mosque .beside me in a buss the old woman wispered (god please destroye the jews letthem away fromthis land they are unfair i peg you to burn them in the hell ) before the damascuss gate the bus stoped there were group of tourests .she looked from the windowand said (god also destroy the tourests all of them make them far awayfrom thisland cut their generations ) ilistened and smiledas this woman know whois sheand she is a religouse woman no nothing about historyor policydo not aware only to reach the aqsa mosque tobe near the godas the mosque is the nearest point to the high heavens and do notlike those who prevent her or put obstacles infront of her to reachthis holyplace tobe near her god.she knows that religionis not historynorpolicynorsecurity it is only to be with god
20. Here is more for Sean
Ze'ev ,   Haifa   (10.05.08)
In 1929 and 1936 Arabs executed pogroms of Jews long before the creation of the State of Israel - FACT. Arabs rejected the UN partition plan and started the war - FACT, 5 Arab armies attacked Israel - FACT.
21. Old City, with the Temple
observer   (10.05.08)
Herod rebuilt the second temple and expanded it. The untold story is that; Jews destroyed it because Herod was Arab on both maternal and paternal sides. can give proof that Jews didn't conspire with Romans on that ?
22. i dreamt a dream
Zechariah   (10.05.08)
We are the dreamers of the dream and now we will avenge our tortured matryred dreamers .
23. Who are we?
observer   (10.05.08)
175:1.16 " Woe upon you who dissimulate when you take an oath! You are tricksters since you teach that a man may swear by the temple and break his oath, but that whoso swears by the gold in the temple must remain bound. You are all fools and blind. You are not even consistent in your dishonesty, for which is the greater, the gold or the temple which has supposedly sanctified the gold? You also teach that, if a man swears by the altar, it is nothing; but that, if one swears by the gift that is upon the altar, then shall he be held as a debtor. Again are you blind to the truth, for which is the greater, the gift or the altar which sanctifies the gift? How can you justify such hypocrisy and dishonesty in the sight of the God of heaven?
24. who are we
hala ,   jerusalem   (10.05.08)
good that you are not we and we are not you.. thank god for that
25. # 21 Stop recommending your own posts
Bill ,   US   (10.05.08)
that's the most ludicrous idea I've heard. You should never complain of ynet censoring you with such a stupid theory.
26. #25 will this be taken as you can't give proof
observer   (10.05.08)
27. Disgrace
RJ ,   USA   (10.07.08)
Israel is consistently voted most hated country in the world - and for good reason. They violate UN over and over. Always play the victim when the violence is so disgustingly disproportinate in their favor. For every 1 Israeli, 8 palestinians die. Palestinians are the ethnic majority in that region. They are the religious majority. And yet, the Israelis protest that it is their land? You have no right to build a country on top of another people. You're all just a bunch of religious fanatics. You cry about suicide bombing and it is no doubt horrific. But what do you expect the RESISTANCE FORCE to do when they are surrounded by violence? Israel is the invading army. The Palestinians are fighting the invaders. And all we ever hear from the Israelis is that it's anti-semitic this and anti-semitic that. How GROTESQUE do you have to be to put a percieved notion of racism over a very REAL example of physical abuse, violence, death and unjust persectution of an entire people? Selfish. Greedy. Fanatical. That is who you are.
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